Minister for Primary Industries Katrina Hodgkinson has announced that Bulk Water NSW will be the new service provider.
Ms Hodgkinson said the move will create a centre of excellence for bulk water management and associated catchment protection in NSW.
“This is about a merger of two equals into a modern and responsive service provider for the NSW bulk water sector,” Ms Hodgkinson said.
“By uniting water quality, dam management, flood mitigation and catchment management skills and expertise, this new stronger organisation will ensure the highest quality and most efficient service to customers across NSW.
“This is a logical, practical and overdue reform, which will create opportunities to leverage the combined strengths of these two organisations to deliver improved service delivery and better outcomes for customers.”
Ms Hodgkinson said the NSW Liberal and Nationals Government is committed to excellence in bulk water delivery into the future.
“This reform will create a critical mass to further develop the skills, knowledge and experience needed to meet the increasing challenges of water management into the future,” Ms Hodgkinson said.
“The findings of Stage 1 of the 2013 independent Bulk Water Delivery Review informed the decision to form Bulk Water NSW, with the integration anticipated to take up to 18 months.”
Ms Hodgkinson said an interim common Board and Chief Executive Officer will operate across Sydney Catchment Authority and State Water Corporation during the implementation, with Mr Terry Charlton appointed as the inaugural Chair.